"I studied English Language and Literature at Manchester University in the 1980s, then taught English as a foreign language in Turkey and Japan for four years. Having completed my teaching qualification at York University, I worked at Richmond School for 18 years before arriving at QE in 2010.

I love this English Language course - it's got something for everyone, and it feel so different from GCSE. I love the unit on how and why English has changed over time - and I also love all the creative writing!

In my spare time I love to go running, swimming and cycling. As you can imagine (being an English teacher) I'm also something of a bookworm. And of course I have a family who unfortunately like to keep me busy!!"

"I'm actually a former QE student myself and after my studies here I went to Northumbria University to study English and Creative Writing before gaining my teaching qualification at University of Sunderland. I have been teaching at QE for 9 years now and love every minute.

My favourite part of the course to teach is definitely Language Diversity; the range of topics in this area fascinates me, and the nature of both the topic and the English language means there is always something new to consider and explore; new words, new attitudes to language etc.

When I'm not teaching I can be found walking my Labrador up Lake District fells, reading, partaking in the occasional obstacle course race (4 x Tough Mudder), and generally keeping fit and socialising at fitness boot camps."